Summary: The war between Jotunheim and Asgard draws to a close, but thanks to a horrible twist of Fate (or perhaps not), the nameless runt of Laufey-King is not discovered by Odin and so begins a remarkable journey of life that should not have been. Jotun!Loki AU. Set pre-/during-/after Thor/Avengers Assemble. MCU-verse only.
Warnings: ANGST! Loki-whump! Language, adult situations, violence, child abuse, dub-con, sexual assault (also of a minor), substance abuse, one abortion scene (sort of), slavery, sex trade (maybe), some mild original character/Loki M/M pairings.
Comments: This is not a slash fic. Sorry. It's Loki-centric, although I definitely show the rest of the Avengers and etc. Please review! Constructive criticism welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avengers. Marvel owns it. I do not get paid for this piece of work. Sadly, but understandably. LOL.
Well, I'm back in my 2nd home. Yay for that! It was an abominable time getting home. But I did. In a nutshell, my flight was overbooked so I was compensated handsomely and had the opportunity of going through Tokyo's Narita airport~ So fun to hear Japanese and see Japanese on their native soil. Ahhh...
Anyways, I just want to apologize AGAIN for the delay. I'm still settling in, lesson planning, getting over jetlag and dealing with other 'settling' in issues as well as struggling with things like Tumblr addiction, Pushing Daisies and Lee Pace and other insanities.
That being said... this chapter ended up being halved. Can you believe that? It was halved at 17 pages. (wide eyes) Yes. Because this chapter 'Consequences' is a little pivotal in sense, setting us up for a lot of angst and stuffs ahead. There isn't a lot of deviation in this chapter, for which I am sorry... but we'll be seeing how this different Loki deals with things and how he doesn't deal with things.
There were some questions over why I had Loki use Jotunn despite his background. You can visit my Tumblr (kakashidiot) and see my answer to that question on there. XD
At any rate, I hope you enjoy this newest installment! Let me know what you think~
Thank you to all those who are hanging in there despite the irregularity of the chapter updates and the fact that so far there has been minor deviation from the film. You guys make me write better, for reals! Thanks to: Winter Cicada, Chiharu-Angel, ClaMiAl, wbss21, Radurai (welcome~), InsolentKatt, DragonsFlame117, Liz, zippy zany, acidburned.
I also wrote a side story. If you reviewed from Chapter 48-58 and did not get it - feel free to PM me to find out how to get your hands on it. I will post up the side story at a later date for the rest of you guys who did not review/did not get it. Once again, if you do wanna get in on the side story happiness earlier, feel free to review when I make announcements about writing side stories. Haha. It happens every now and then. XD
THANKS EVERYONE!
Distortions In Time
[Bitter Desolation, Incandescent Harmony]
Chapter 59
Consequences I
All my life, all my life, it has lurked, it has loomed in my memory – a shadow of a threat, a dark promise of things to come. It has been my constant companion, my past and my future. It lies there on the edges of my consciousness, whether I will or no. Never far no matter how far I may roam.
This is Jotunheim...
[The skies are empty on Jotunheim...]
[... so wrong...]
[... there is life even here...]
[... and beyond...]
[... it fell silent long ago...]
[... can you hear it?]
[... it is even here... in the silence...]
[... and the land descended into darkness...]
Throughout his life, from the time of his birth to his most recent visits, Loki had always seen Jotunheim through a specific set of eyes, a certain point of view. To him, Jotunheim had always seemed a dark and terrifying world, a dying Realm, a beautiful, spartan place, a hard, difficult land. Now, gazing out across the southern reaches of Utgard, back to the Eybjarg, Loki's birthplace seemed more desolate, mysterious, archaic and wild than ever.
Surveying Utgard and its disintegrating environs, the steep cliffs falling away into the Void and the further reaches of the Utanheim across the Eybjarg, Loki saw the Realm with the eyes of Thor and the others. More than ever, the air of Jotunheim, with its rumbling, cracking ice and stones in the otherwise silent world, had a pervasive whiff of death. Yet, there were traces of greatness even then – the tall walls, towers and ancient monoliths looming out of the mists seemed to speak of an ancient civilization, a powerful race and endurance enhanced by the ever present threat of extinction.
Utgard, Citadel of the Pale Moon, was but a shadow of its formal glory.
Or perhaps not, Loki mused. Perhaps they see only something that should have been destroyed long ago. And who is to say otherwise, realistically speaking.
For a moment, there was silence as the group stood there, taking stock of what lay before them. Setting aside the dangers of falling snow and ice and rock, the ground itself seemed rather treacherous, riddled as it was with sharp upward-slanting wedges of ice no doubt hiding cracks, crevices and larger chasms. Whipping across the Eybjarg down from the Grarfjall mountains which loomed darkly far off on the horizon, the wind howled wordlessly.
...you return...
...so warned...
...not all who fall to the dark Realm rise to sunlit lands...
...not all who fall...
...return...
Glancing at his comrades, Loki was pleased to note the solemn look on their faces as they were faced with the realization of what life was actually like on the wasted Realm. Of course, the weight of what they are actually bearing witness to has not fully sunk in... One day, Loki mused, one day Thor will be able to hear the Heimsrsal, the Voices of the Realms – and hearing thus, he will bear the burden of his Realm with a greater sense of duty... but not, I think, this day. Not this day.
"We should not be here," Hogun's quiet voice broke the uneasy silence with his usual warning.
"No welcome mat, I see," Fandral tried to laugh, but his attempt at jocularity fell flat, further deflated by a snort from Loki.
"We should keep moving," Sif said, moving forward, ignoring the others.
"I agree with Hogun," Loki had to add, stepping a little closer to Thor's right, breaking slightly out of their usual formation. "This is no place for us, Thor, and even if we were lucky enough to find some Frost Giants, there is no telling that they will be able to parley with us, much less have interest in sparing our lives. We should go back."
"Go back?" Thor raised an eyebrow at Loki's words. "We have only just arrived."
"Well, if you wish to continue this quest," Volstagg huffed, " there is no point in standing around about. We should stay on the move."
"Let us go," Thor nodded and started forward.
In silence, the group strode down the slight hill carefully, picking their way around gaping crevices, partially hidden chasms and sharp shards of ice and stone. Usually, there were was some kind of jesting or singing which Fandral, Volstagg and Thor would start, raising the spirits and taking their minds off of what was before. However, the very air of Jotunheim seemed to swallow all sound hole as though it were the Void itself. There is no singing here, Loki mused, there is nothing but the dark. They can feel it pressing down... and there is no escape from it.
Far off, there was the usual rumble of crumbling buildings and cracking ice or snow, but other than that, there was nothing to be heard. Even their quiet footsteps in the soft snow seemed as loud as a giant's. Loki's visual sweep to his right caught Fandral pulling his grey fur cloak a bit closer around him. The warrior-mage smirked.
"Where are they..." Sif wondered quietly, her voice also uncharacteristically lower than usual.
"Hiding," Thor snorted, his voice echoing eerily off the black towers and crumbling walls. "As cowards always do."
Well, Loki thought, there goes our element of surprise. Although the Bifrost itself was a beacon for leagues. Already, they have drawn back the guards from the southern walls – such as they are – and all that remains is the southern tower... perhaps we shall find opposition there.
Sure enough, as the Asgardians approached the southern tower, standing tall and craggy, it sheer face imposing even in its diminished splendour, there was a flicker of magick. Jotunn magick. Loki slowed his step even further, green eyes darting about for any sign of those undoubtedly watching the interlopers.
Then, rough and rumbling like so many boulders crashing down the mountainsides, the voice of an ancient Jotunn, a powerful Jotunn. Laufey, Loki glanced at Thor. Of course, Thor does not know. Nor would he care... The group came to a halt in the small square in front of the tower and looked upward as the syllables rumbled onward in a familiar warning.
"You have come a long way to die, Asgardians."
"I am Thor, Odin's Son," Thor stepped forward, blue eyes glinting and hand gripping his hammer tightly. "I-
"We know who you are," was Laufey's curt response. "Why have you come, young Prince of Asgard?"
"I came to seek answers – answers to questions."
"And what may those be?"
Laufey's voice was a tad bit sarcastic. Loki winced.
"How did your people get into Asgard?"
-0-0-0-
"How did your people get into Asgard?"
The question resounded about the square, ringing upwards into the furthermost regions of the crumbling tower. For a moment, it went unanswered as Laufey, peering out from the guard's station box of which he had taken command, considered the party of Asgardians before him. Youths, his dark lip curled. Fools and arrogant idiots. But, not all of them ignorant, the King reminded himself, remembering the words sent to him by the Dark Elf traders and the occasional Dwarves who dared to enter his capitals. There is the Crown Prince and his usual sycophants... but there is also the second son. Newly adopted. An alien to Asgard in more than one way. The dark haired one, Laufey mused, his finger rising to run across his chin contemplatively. The quiet one. The one who seems to carry the cold of Jotunheim lightly...
An idle thought. A seed gently laid to blossom and forgotten – now blooming. An insidious idea. A terrible intuition. The memory of confidence, the unexpected, in-depth knowledge, the expertise... and the younger son, the adopted Prince, is an adept, a shape-shifter and gifted with great abilities in seithr.
Impossible...
Laufey smiled, then, and with slow careful words, laid his trap, trusting his instincts and doing what he had always done best in the long ages past – bred distrust through devious words.
"The House of Odin is full of traitors."
-0-0-0-
"Do not dishonour my father's name with your lies, Jotun!" Thor blustered. "My father, Odin All-Father, is-"
At Laufey's words, Loki's stomach turned over sharply, but, keeping his voice blank, he kept his gaze trained upward serenely. Of course, Thor must take offence to that... not knowing that Laufey is more than likely searching for information as well.
"Your father is a murderer and thief!" spat Laufey, leaning forward, voice getting heavier and sharper with anger. "He was the one who took our future – our Soul – our Casket!"
"That was only to save the rest of the Realms from your unthinking greed and savagery!" Thor retorted. "It was a good day when Asgard took your weapon from this land."
"Strong words for one who supposedly has come for questions." A telling pause. Then: "And why have you come here... really? Not for peace, that much is certain. I can tell it, I can smell it. I can see it, I have heard it in the tales which spread after your devastating wake like an ill-omened wave of snow. You long for battle; you crave it. You are nothing but a boy trying to prove himself a man."
"This boy has grown tired of your mockery," Thor growled, swinging his hand threateningly, at the sight of which the other Jotunn, who had silently stepped forward into position around various portions of the remaining wall and tower and called upon the magicks of their blood – ice daggers and swords.
The air crackled with energy and tension, accompanied by the soft sound of ice molding itself along hands and arms. Loki stepped forward quickly, heart beating fast and hard. This has gone on far enough – too far – out of control.
"Thor!" Loki hissed sharply, catching his brother's eyes. "Stop - and think! Look around you. We are outnumbered! There is no way to win this – and there is only one thing that can result from this – a worse situation than we came for. Imagine trying to explain to the Court – and Father – tonight at the Council why we are at war with the Jotunn again!"
"Know your place, brother!" snapped Thor.
Loki eased back a bit, cheeks flushed a little at the harsh reminder of his untenable position, stuck as it was between the expectations of Odin and the reality of his situation. Glaring at Thor, Loki glanced back upward at the Jotunn King before him. Laufey-King's face gave nothing away, but perhaps there was a flicker of cruel amusement and interest at the sight of dissension within the ranks. Loki ground his teeth.
"You came here for a purpose – known and unknown," Laufey finally said, shaking his head. "In coming, you, Son of Odin, have begun a chain of events that I think you shall regret one day. One day."
"You-"
"You know not what your actions will unleash," continued the Jotunn, unstoppable. "I do. Go now while I still allow it."
A guard shifted closer. Eyeing the rest of the Jotunn who stood poised for battle or retreat, Loki nodded and said quickly, "We will accept your most gracious offer."
In disbelief, Thor glanced over at his younger brother. Loki winced inwardly. He would hear it from Thor when they got back. If we get back, Loki amended. We are far from out of the woods yet...
With a shrug, Thor nodded casually as if it had been a decision up to him and not commonsense, turned and began to walk away. Loki was just exhaling an inward sigh of relief when the quiet rumble of one of the King's guards caught his ear:
"Run back home, little prince, and find comfort with your women."
"Damn."
The space-faring pirate oath rose to Loki's lips as Thor whipped about, flinging Mjolnir squarely into the chest of the guard, throwing it back several paces to crash into the iced-over, lower walls of the tower. As if someone had rung a starting bell, the entire area burst into frenetic, violent activity – and Loki, once again, found himself fighting for his life not unlike all those times spent in the ring at the Battlehouse or on Thor's previous escapades.
Except, Loki thought grimly, this is different. This time, perhaps, more than any other, there are devastating consequences to our actions – the kind of consequences which have the potential of bringing many Realms and realities into the frightful arena of war. This is no small conquest of a planet, this is the beginning of something that no one will easily be able to end.
Behind him, somewhere, Thor moved into battle easily, laughing and taunting his oncoming attackers with the usual glee and arrogance. Mjolnir sang as it flew through the icy air, hitting dozens of Jotunn in a single arc before returning to the Crown Prince. Slinging about his weapon with ease, Thor laughed, his voice simultaneously encouraging his shield mates and raising fury within the enemy.
Further to the side, Hogun fought silently and stoically, face grim and set as he faced each opponent. It was increasingly becoming difficult to face all of the oncoming opponents, but with his variety of weaponry and long years of expertise, the older warrior was able to hold his ground. On more than one occasion, one of his throwing knives beat off a looming, un-looked for Jotunn about to prey on one of the other Asgardians.
Sif, shield and double-bladed spear in hand, fought viciously and carefully. Ducking, twisting, turning and using her opponents' weight against them, the dark-haired shield-maiden more than held her own. Always, her dark eyes strayed to Thor, keeping an eye on his more often than not exposed back. Unlike her more jocose friends, Sif seemed to realize where this was really headed – and as a result, there were no jokes coming from her.
On the other hand, Fandral, was more than ready to laugh, like Thor. Although, Loki thought with a sigh, out of all of us, he should have more care. The light-haired swordsman, slashed his way through several Jotunn, gaining more confidence and cheer than the situation truly allowed for. His steel blade flickered and danced artistically – as did his fur cape – and Loki, glancing quickly over, had to shakes his head at the insouciant grace with which Fandral embellished his combat. Really.
Volstagg, feisty and hardy as ever, was barrelling about, yelling heartily and crushing anyone who came within the vicinity of his axe, his long blade and his short sword. A Jotunn appeared from the left, Volstagg feinted to the side, allowing the giant to blunder past – and gave the Jotun guardsman several well-placed sword slashes to the back of the legs, which caused the giant to fall forward. Twisting about, the Jotun guardsman grabbed Volstagg's arm, encased as it was by a dwarven-carved bronze and gold bracer. Ice formed, cold concentrated through the palms, and within minutes the metal and leather had shattered.
Roaring with surprised pain, Volstagg automatically stabbed the Jotun through the chest with his free right hand and then raised his left arm to stare at the black burn which now spread over his forearm.
"Don't let them touch you!" he hollered. "Their magick allows them to burn through armour and down to the flesh!"
Of course! That was what Loki wanted to say, but the warrior-mage had other things on hand. Already he had lured several Jotunn over the chasms with phantasms – but his options were running short since his ice magicks would be identified by Laufey in no time. There were other elemental spells he could use, but the ground, he worried, is too unstable... it could potentially begin to crumble further...
As his mind raced through a variety of options, Loki threw several daggers at some newly incoming warriors who were headed for a seemingly unsuspecting Fandral. Hogun stabbed a Jotunn pressing Sif a little too closely for comfort. Tearing his eyes away, Loki managed just in time to block the sudden attack of another warrior. Before the warrior-mage could summon anything, the Jotun warrior had grabbed Loki's arm, burning through his favourite travelling coat, revealing pale skin. Pale skin, which, under the force of the cold and the Jotunn magick, turned a revealing blue.
The warrior twisted Loki's palm upward revealing the family lines – the markings of Laufey and Loki's royal heritage. With a short curse, Loki stabbed the guard and looked about as he clutched his other hand, willing the illusion of pale skin to return. No one saw that, his eyes darted about, did they? It was hard to tell in the confusion and the dark.
Just then, a cry rose from the other side of the courtyard. Fandral! Loki whirled about, fighting past a couple Jotunn in time to see Volstagg and Hogun pull Fandral off a nasty set of ice spikes which had apparently shot up from the ground. Sif killed the Jotunn no doubt responsible and turned to glare at the other Jotunn.
It is not the Jotunn's fault, Loki thought darkly, gazing over at Thor who was still blithely egging the other Jotunn on. This is all Thor. Typical. Typical Thor.
"THOR!" Sif shouted.
"We must go!" Loki shouted in agreement, fighting the rising knot of fear and anger swelling in his belly. "Thor! We must get back now!"
"Then go!" Thor yelled back.
With that, Volstagg hefted Fandral up over his shoulder. Hogun and Sif followed, fighting off any Jotunn who dared follow them (a fair few) and, gazing at his older brother one last time, Loki followed slowly. Thor shows no sign of stopping. As usual.
From the direction of their left, the entire group, now in full out retreat, could hear an ominous cracking followed by a dull roar.
"The 'auzha!" gasped Loki.
"What? What?" Fandral's eyes widened as he caught sight of a giant beast headed their way – its long, tri-spiked tail swinging, its giant maw opened in a raging roaring call revealing sharp teeth, its small black eyes set in a terrifying face straight out of the history books. "What is that?"
"By the Norns," Sif shook her head after risking a quick look back. "My day just got better!"
"Do not look back!" Fandral kept yelling, now hitting Volstagg in his extreme anxiety.
"I am not!" Volstagg huffed. "Stop hitting me! Do I look like a mule to you?"
"What is that thing?" Hogun glanced over at Loki. "Do you know?"
"It is a – a – a black ice cat!" Loki managed to gasp out as the group just barely missed being sudden death by falling pillar.
"A cat?" yelled Fandral. "What do they call a dog then?"
There was no immediate answer as the group increased their speed. Little hope, Loki thought morosely, since it will catch up to us in no time. Thor will pay for this – I swear.
From far behind, there was the familiar crackle of lightning and then a resounding BOOM as Mjolnir hit the icy ground. He did not – he did not just do what I think he just did, Loki shot a wide-eyed glance at Hogun who also nodded gravely. As close as we are to the Eybjarg, this is suicide. But of course, Thor does not know important things like that. No, of course not. He does as he pleases.
The usual resulting wave of ice and snow must have been magnificently devastating, for previously hidden crevices and chasms opened up – one of them happily below the jarnkottr who disappeared. Let us hope it fell to the Void, Loki thought. Although, that is a terrifying fate for any creature. Even a jarnkottr.
Then, there it was – the markings of Bifrost before them. Volstagg and Hogun began to holler for Heimdall. Turning about, Sif and Loki found themselves face to face with an increasing mass of unhappy Jotunn. Before either of them could say a word, before Sif could raise her weapon or Loki could spell some fire, Thor flew down to stand at their side, Mjolnir in hand.
"Did you see that?" he gasped. "Now this is what I call a fight!"
"You said that before," Sif said with a glare.
"This is no fight," Loki snapped. "This is senseless violence. It will get us all killed and then-"
FWOOSH! Suddenly the sky ripped open with light and magick and the roar and the crack of the Bifrost. A welcome sound to the group, until they caught sight of a familiar silhouette – a cloaked rider on an eight-legged horse holding one of Asgard's most powerful weapons. Odin on Sleipnir, bearing Gugnir, had arrived in Jotunheim for the first time in millenia.
At the sight of his father, Thor's face lit up.
"Father!" Thor raised Mjolnir with a little shake. "You came as well! Come! We can finish them together!"
"Silence!" hissed Odin, keeping his stern eye on the gathered small regiment of Jotunn before them, now headed by Laufey-King himself.
Further back, Loki could see Helblindi standing anonymously with the rest, no doubt told to keep far from Thor and his reckless hammer. Thor never understands the importance of treaties and agreements and hostages, Loki thought sourly. Odin will of course attempt a parley of sorts... Thor will not understand, of course.
Laufey, raising himself up on a summoned hill of ice and snow, leaned forward to peruse the familiar, now much more aged face of his ancient adversary. His thin dark lips curved upward cruelly.
"All-Father," he rumbled. "The toll of time, the weight of years lie heavily on you. Perhaps the Odin-Sleep is upon you... for you look... weary."
"Laufey," Odin said steadily, ignoring the Jotun King's snide remarks. "End this now."
"Your boy sought this out."
"You are right," Odin admitted quietly. His blue eye flickered over Thor's blonde head and the others. "These are the actions of a boy. Treat them as such. You and I can end this here and now before there is further bloodshed."
"We are beyond diplomacy now, All-Father," Laufey shook his head. "Your boy got what he came for - war and death, for Jotunn blood was spilt this night, for which Asgard must pay in full return."
Odin sighed and then nodded slowly and grimly.
"So be it." Odin gave Laufey a look. "This was not something I wished for – not something I wished for either of our Realms."
"And yet here we are... again. It is as it must always be," Laufey smiled coldly, his gaze also resting for a moment on the young Asgardians before him.
Loki kept his posture easy, his return look bored and disinterested – until the golden stream of the Bifrost cut down as an impenetrable curtain between them and the oncoming wave of Jotunn, headed by Laufey. With a crack and resounding boom, the Jotunn were tossed back as Laufey's ice magicks ricocheted off the endless arc of light which rose upward in the air, carrying away the Asgardians.
Loki did not look back.
[...in the silence...]
[...and the land descended into darkness...]
When they arrived at the Observatory, several guards rushed forward as Odin dismounted. Already the old king's voice was raised in strident tones as he turned on the Crown Prince to give him the usual scolding. Except, this time, there was some quality to his voice, an increased sense of anger and disappointment. For the first time, Loki had a feeling that he should not step forward as was his wont and protest on the behalf of Thor. None of the others – the Warriors or Sif – spoke anything either as Thor and Odin's voices clashed and rang and echoed about the domed room as though in a battle of their own.
"-beyond me!" Odin was saying.
"Why did you bring us back?" Thor was still protesting, ignoring his father's initial reproof. "We were going to win!"
"Do you realize what you have done? What you have started?" Odin's voice rose higher and louder as Thor glared back at him. "Did you even know before whom you stood?"
"I do not care if I stood before Laufey or any other person," Thor frowned. "I was attempting to find the truth! I was trying to aid our cause! Protecting my home!"
"You cannot even protect your friends - how can you hope to protect your home?" Odin whipped about to glare at the rest of the group. Hogun and Volstagg were now securely holding a rather faint-looking Fandral, helping the swordsman to remain on his feet. "Get him to the healing halls! NOW!"
"There won't be a kingdom to protect if you are afraid to act!" Thor blustered on in protest. "I know these beasts only understand one thing – fear! For all those long years, you waged war and taught them the meaning of Asgardian power! The Jotunn must learn to fear me just as they once feared you!"
"That is pride and vanity talking not leadership! Have you forgotten everything I taught you - about a warrior's patience, a warrior's ability to strategize and plan?"
"Plan? Patience?" Thor waved a hand dismissively as he snorted. "While you wait and be patient, the Nine realms laugh at us. Look, Father, the old ways are... done... We cannot hold onto those old ideals. Would you stand by, giving speeches, while Asgard falls?"
Odin turned then on his heels, as Heimdall made his quiet way out of the Observatory, sword in hand, following the rest of the guards and horses out to the Bifrost, leaving the King and his sons to discuss what had happened alone. Watching the others leave, Loki wondered if the King's Court and Mage's Court would be weaving their own tales of what had happened before the night fell. Probably. He sighed. But the truth is too terrible to consider. We are at war... I am in a country at war. It seems so... strange. Somehow, we all continue living, although in the end, many will not...
Odin and Thor continued arguing and Loki, standing a little to one side, green eyes darting from one to the other could not help but notice how similar the two men actually were. Both powerful, strong and opinionated. Yet, only one holds everything that allows him to exercise such power... but Thor means well, Loki sighed, even if he does not go about it the right way, his heart is ever for the good of Asgard. Surely the All-Father will see that.
"Yes," Odin was saying, "I was a fool. I was a fool to think you were ready for the throne of Asgard. That you were worthy of that title. For many years, we prepared you. For this day, we all worked – in vain, I see now. In vain."
"Father-" Loki stepped
"SILENCE!" Odin whipped around to glare at Loki.
Loki flinched and stepped back, shutting his mouth sharply.
"I will deal with you later, Loki!" Odin jabbed a finger in the warrior-mage's direction with a decidedly heavy scowl on his face.
Odin, then, turning to Thor, shifted Gugnir to his left and began to tear off Thor's vestments. Frozen, looking onward at the scene, more than ever Loki felt as though the entire situation had somehow moved beyond his reach, beyond his ability to control. In slow motion, the steel armour and the red cloak were torn from Thor's ceremonial garb, bouncing off the floor and rolling to the far edges of the circle, the red cloth now thoughtlessly cast to the ground like a river of bright blood.
"Thor Odinson, you have betrayed the express command of your king. Through your arrogance and stupidity, you have opened these peaceful realms and innocent lives to the horror and the desolation of war," Odin said sharply, his blue eyes glinting with anger and disappointment. "You are unworthy of these realms; you are unworthy of your title. You are unworthy - of the loved ones you have betrayed."
A pause. A silence. A short one, but to Loki it seemed to last forever. His mouth, he knew, hung open a little in shock as he took in the scene. The glow of gold and bronze on Thor's face – Thor's face which now begun to take on a shade of fear. Thor was never frightened. Thor was never worried. Thor never really felt regret or repentance. Yet, perhaps, Loki thought, noticing the tears standing out in Thor's eyes, perhaps he is beginning to understand. For the first time.
Loki moved forward and then stopped as Odin clanged Gugnir's end on the stone and metal floor, rocking the entire Observatory with powers and magicks the like of which Loki had never before seen emanating from the All-Father. The Bifrost, under such a blast of magick, began to revolve, to spin. Odin seemed to pay no heed to that, focusing instead on the silent Thor before him.
A quiet Thor. A shocked Thor. A Thor who opened his mouth in protest too late. Too late, for Odin's spell (and Loki knew it to be as such thanks to the increased swirl of red and gold and orange magicks spiralling about) had already begun to take effect as the All-Father continued his working.
"I now take from you your power - in the name of my father and his father before-"
With each word falling from Odin's lips, Thor's armour fell away, leaving him standing in his regular, relaxed clothing most often worn under his armour. A grey, padded tunic, rough leather breaches and boots.
"-and I, as the All-Father, cast you out!"
With those last words, the magick swirling about, coelesced and burst forward, throwing Thor backward without warning into the path of the Bifrost now shooting out and sending the Crown Prince to – where? Loki blinked as his brother disappeared in the haze of white light and power and magick. For a long moment, the warrior mage stood there, dazed, unbelieving.
It did not happen, he thought disjointedly. This did not happen. Surely not.
When he turned to his father, Loki noticed that Odin had picked up Mjolnir which must have been yanked from Thor's grasp when the Prince had been thrown back. Mjolnir is – what – Loki watched as Odin cast another working over the hammer and also threw it after Thor, to wherever Thor had gone. Watching the hammer disappear as well, watching the white light of the Bifrost slowly fade and fall silent, Loki wondered what was happening, what would happen next.
He felt, for a moment, Odin's heavy gaze on the back of his neck, but Loki's father said nothing and Loki found himself unable to say anything in return. The young prince knew that Odin would no doubt seek him out later that evening. It was not something Loki looked forward to – already the anticipation of what his punishment would be sat heavily on his stomach like a heavy stone.
And if Father were to find out that it was my prank that sent Thor to Jotunheim... Loki felt a little nauseous as he contemplated a rather stark future. Will I be banished as well? Disowned? Can one unadopt a son? Will I be tossed out of the city? It reminded Loki of another dark day when he had been found wanting and, being unwanted, had been cast out. Well, he thought bleakly, at least I have a good relationship with the wolves here as well.
For the first time in a long time, Loki was not entirely certain as to what to do.
-0-0-0-
Later that evening, after a long drawn-out Council session, in which the Warriors Three, Sif and Loki were forced to sit in silence to the side as the entire group of generals, court officials, ministers and mages bemoaned youth and the loss of Thor and the savagery of the Jotunn, the now rather chastened group of young Asgardians found their way to a quiet corner of the palace where on a regular night they would usually drink and eat and cozen the palace staff into entertainment and other revelries. More often then not, the group would end up leaving the palace to find a late night tavern or (if Sif remained at her home) brothel. This evening, however, was a quiet one. Fandral prodded listlessly at his now healing shoulder wound, Volstagg helped himself to extra fortified servings of fowl, Hogun sharpened his daggers and Sif paced. Loki, returning from his usual spot by the balcony, was a little more preoccupied than usual as he considered the entire situation.
Thor is gone. Gone. Gone where... Father intimated Midgard. Thor, I recall, went there a few times... a long time ago before I arrived. Hm... According to him, the beings there were rather uncivilized. Will Thor survive? Probably. Loki scowled. With his luck, upon his arrival, he will be worshipped as some mythic hero. And of course, as usual, his friends find life intolerable without him. Given half the chance, I have no doubt they would attempt to pursue Thor and return him, Odin's wishes or no...
At that discomforting thought, Loki turned to take note of the conversation which had started up as Volstagg asked:
"How did the guard even know?"
"I told him," Loki admitted with a shrug.
"What?" Fandral's golden head jerked upward at Loki's revelation.
"I told the guard to go to Odin and reveal our plan after he had left for the bridge. He should be flogged for taking so long – whatever his excuse was-"
"He was detained by a mage and some students." Sif rolled her eyes. "Hardly his fault. Mage Flarathir is rather adamant at times and-"
"Whatever the reason, he should have hurried. We should never have reached Jotunheim-"
"You told the guard?!" Volstagg was suddenly very upset.
Loki glared at the rotund warrior. Of course Volstagg would take umbrage since it is my idea – and not the ever estimable Thor's.
"I saved our lives, if you remember," Loki said coldly, cuttingly. "If you remember that small detail – I know it must have slipped your minds... but in saving our lives, I saved Thor's as well. Now, as for father's banishment. I had no idea that that would happen. After all, Father has never banished Thor for any of his many other interferences..."
"Loki," Sif strode up to the dark-haired Prince. "You must go to your Father and get him to change his mind! We are at war and it is only right that we have ALL of our warriors on hand!"
For a moment, Loki stared at Sif in disbelief, perplexed as though the dark-haired girl had grown two heads.
"I should go to Odin All-Father and ask him to bring Thor back," he said finally, voice deadpan.
"Yes!" Sif nodded eagerly, laying a hand on Loki's arm. "Surely he would listen to you!"
"Ha. Ha. Ha," Loki finally managed to hack out sarcastic laughter. "He would listen to me, would he? What Realm do you live on, Sif? And even if I were to say anything, and even if he were to listen to me... then what? Would Thor be returned? I think not. And if he was? Have you considered why he was exiled as he was? Listen! I love Thor more dearly than any of you, but you all must admit – must know – what he is. He is arrogant, reckless and dangerous." A beat. Then: "Is that what Asgard needs from its king?"
With that, Loki tore himself away, jerking his arm from under Sif's firm grasp and blindly making his way out of the room. The fools! Idiots! As if Odin would listen to me. As if he would ever really listen to me. Ha! And as if Thor has learned his lesson. As if he ever will! And what is all this nonsense of 'we need Thor for the war'? Is the war to be lost because we do not have Thor with us? As if it is up to Thor alone to win the war? Thor was the one, for the most part, to cause the war! This exile is the best thing for all of us. Why can they not see that? Loki stopped, leaned against the door post and forced his breathing to slow down. Behind him, he could hear the others talking, murmuring between themselves. As usual, Sif seemed to have a very poor view of Loki and his motivations.
"Ever since that day he arrived in Asgard, I knew he was up to no good," Sif was saying. "He talks about Asgard's good, but he has always had his eye on the throne, always jealous of Thor and wanting power for his own. You can see it – in his eyes."
"Really... Sif..." Fandral did not sound convinced.
"Well," Volstagg sighed, "we should be grateful to Loki – he saved our lives. Again."
A pause. Sif's voice suddenly rose.
"Hogun."
"It is nothing."
"Say it. You just thought of something," Sif's voice grew stronger as she drew closer and Loki shrank back into the shadows, listening carefully.
"Laufey," the quiet warrior spoke slowly. "Laufey said there were traitors in the House of Odin." A pause then he added, "A master of magick could have brought three Jotunn easily enough into Asgard – especially one such as Loki who can walk the Dark Paths and knows all of the doors to the other Realms, using such travel to bypass the use of the Bifrost. Also, he can cloak himself against Heimdall's sight. I am fairly certain of that."
"But – but he was in the throne room the entire time-" Volstagg protested.
"Yes," Fandral was also quick to agree. "Loki has been mischievous, but he never has wished Thor actual harm, nor has he ever spoken of wanting a throne or any such treasonous thoughts. I think you chase phantoms, sweet Lady Sif."
"You mark my words," repeated Sif. "In a few days time, Loki will be sitting on the throne and no one will gainsay him."
"He cannot fight the All-Father-"
"Surely not-"
"The All-Father may enter the Odinsleep at any time," Hogun pointed out. "It has been many long years since that happened."
"The last time was in that lull of quiet – a few centuries before Thor was born," Volstagg nodded. "I was a youngling at the time and not allowed to go to war, but I enlisted and stood upon the walls of the city at guard during that time. Security was heightened when he slept. It was only for a day, I remember, but it felt like forever during war-time, lull or no."
"Hm," Hogun nodded in agreement. "A lot can happen in a day."
At that, Loki stole away, mind now in further turmoil as he considered the new threat. They are not my friends, but I had thought them comrades at the very least, and now they doubt me so deeply. Loki bit his lip, kept his shoulders and back straight as he made his way through the halls, green eyes far away in thought, betraying none of the hurt he felt. It seems so unfair that they would think such things about me so quickly. To suspect me of such deviousness. Well... Loki admitted. I do deserve some suspicion to a certain extent, yet I would never – I would never...
But would you not, whispered that darker side of him which even now insinuated itself back into his thoughts. You deserve a chance. Who does not?
Not to hurt Thor. Never to hurt him, nor to take away such things as belong rightfully to him, Loki argued with himself. I know, after all, more than any, what it feels like to lose what rightfully should belong to me...
An throne of ice in a giant hall, filled with the form of a King he could never be. Deep in memory, Loki wandered the halls, his feet subconsciously drawing him nearer and nearer to that part of him which always called his name.
...the time is coming...
...dear heart...
...the time for your ascendancy...
...is coming...
Thor is gone. Three words which would not let go. Thor is gone, Odin sighed tiredly after a rather tearful and angry confrontation with his wife upon telling her of the news, giving the truth to rumour. Rumours now spreading ever wider until even the furthest Realms will know.
Thor is gone... and Asgard is at war.
Throughout the entire confrontation, Odin had felt as though his heart had turned to stone inside his chest. Everything felt heavy now – as though his very energy had been sapped from his body and no power or will was left. The child of promise had condemned his world again to war. A senseless war. A war birthed out of pride and ambition... A war begun so swiftly – over the course of one day. Unprecedented. Odin sighed. I am too old for this and the son I would have wished for at my side is now gone.
Thor is gone.
And all that remains is Loki, Odin turned the name over and over as he contemplated his second son. His adopted son – another child of promise, I thought. I had thought at one time, Odin mused, that Loki would live to grasp his own fate firmly and would one day be the son to temper Thor, curb his excesses... but Loki has also fed the fires of Thor. This entire venture... the Jotunn's mysterious ability to get to the Vault... Loki is in this... somehow...
As the old king mulled over the problem before him, his feet took him slowly down the various stairs, through the now emptying halls and corridors and passageways until Odin All-Father found himself standing before the Vault doors. Without a word, the guards eased open the two doors allowing the King access. At the top of the stairs, he stood, his blue eye running up over the bronzed ceiling carved with protective runes and down the sides to the many recesses holding the various treasures Odin and his forefathers had gathered for safe keeping. Descending the stairs, Odin's gaze settled on the tall, thin silhouette which stood motionless before Casket.
The Casket which had sat there in all of its glory earlier in the afternoon. Loki and the Casket. Odin's mouth tightened as his suspicions began to crowd around, clamouring for resolution. Loki the Trickster, the Silvertongue, the Mage of War... is living up to his name... in all senses, Odin shook his head. As I feared, but I listened to Frigga... perhaps to our detriment, I listened to her. Perhaps it would have been better to let him remain as he was – a simple Mage or stable boy... now, the future lies so uncertainly before him, before us all.
"Loki."
At the sound of his voice, Loki laughed softly. The young man had no doubt guessed who it was who had entered, but for some reason, there was a new distance now that lay between them. Perhaps it had been there all along.
"Loki. Stop."
Loki set the Casket down, letting his hands fall to his sides. Cerulean hands marked with swirls of darker blue. Odin stiffened at the significance of such a gesture.
"You are not surprised."
"No."
"And you are not... fearful? Worried? Upset?" Loki turned sharply then, revealing red eyes, blue skin and the markings of Laufey's house upon his brow.
Odin drew in a sharp breath as his suspicions, fears and hopes came true all in one blow. Loki, too, had been born for a throne. All those abilities, with which he had been born, had been given for a purpose. Never to be used. A bitter pill for one so ambitious, Odin thought. Would that drive him to sabotage Thor's reign?
"Do I have cause to be fearful or worried or upset?" Odin countered Loki's question with his own.
Loki's gaze drifted around the room as his pale skin slowly asserted itself, returning the young man's colouration to the usual pale white skin and unsettlingly sharp green eyes.
"Some would counsel you to have care," Loki smiled then, quickly. A sharp smile which gave Odin a slight chill.
So much a son of Laufey.
"What would you hope for me to say?" Loki finally shrugged, moving forward slowly. "What could I say to lay your suspicions to rest? To ease your mind? To show my loyalties, such as they are?"
"I would have you speak the truth," Odin finally countered.
"The truth..."
"The truth."
"What is the truth? Is it something that lasts for eternity, unalterable? Or something that may change depending on the season?" Loki laughed shortly then and then shook his head. "The truth... the truth is... I only wished the best for Asgard. I only wish... I will only wish... Asgard is my home. Why would I orchestrate my home's downfall?"
"Asgard has yet to fall, agreed. Yet, Thor is Asgard and Asgard is Thor... and Thor... your brother, Thor... is gone."
"I did not expect to see him exiled," Loki said quickly. "I did not expect him to go to Jotunheim, nor for him to begin such a war."
"Yet, here we are."
"It was no fault of mine."
A beat and then Loki admitted.
"No real fault of mine. Not entirely at any rate."
Odin sighed, suddenly wishing he could sit down as the weight of the circumstances fell even more heavily on his shoulders. Thor is gone. A war begun... and my only other son upon whom I would wish to depend is proving himself to be just as unstable and untrustworthy. The Norns have wished upon me such an evil day! What did I do to deserve this?
Loki moved forward then, hands nervously plucking at the edges of his coat sleeves.
"Look, Father-"
"Loki. Be silent. I must think."
"Listen, I did this because-"
"Silence!"
"But I-"
"How many times do I have to ask you to be silent? Why must you always be attempting to ease your way with sweet words? Be silent and take my admonition like a man!"
"I just want to – do you not want to know why-"
"SILENCE!" Odin's exhaustion and legendary fraying temper came crashing down.
"I REFUSE TO BE SILENT ANYMORE!" Loki yelled back, voice cracking with force as his pale face flushed. "YOU NEED TO KNOW-"
"I HAVE NO INTEREST IN LIES!"
"LIES? LIES?!" Loki was panting now, shoulders rising and falling, eyes wet with emotion. "Lies?" He hissed. "How about your own lies? Your own omissions? How long did you know what I was? How long did you hide that truth? How long have you been waiting for me to make a mistake?"
A pause as Odin stepped back, shaking his head with his eye cast down deep in thought.
"TELL ME!"
At Loki's insistent, heart-broken roar, Odin looked up and then said, softly, "I knew – from the first few moments I saw you. Or, rather, I guessed... but when you were injured in that courageous attempt to save Thor's life, when your mother ran out of the palace and bore you away to the Healing Halls, when she tended to you, she noticed your hands... I had covered you in my cloak and ordered Tyr to bear you away undisturbed... It was – it was-" Odin found it hard to say, the memories crowding in together blurred disturbingly and his speech came slow. "I knew then. On that day, Frigga knew and she told me – she told me... that her heart called out to yours, as a mother would to a child. She knew then, that you would have been hers in another time, another place. It seemed only right to her to take you in as our own and hide your secret until such a time as you deemed fit to share with us – or learn the truth if you did not know the truth of the matter for yourself."
"So then, you named me Loki because-"
"Loka and Loki. It is an ancient story of my forebears and is only in the oldest most private scripts of the ancient Annals of the Asgardian Kings," Odin edged back, found a seat on rough stone steps and sighed. "A story so old it was born when the world was young as a child. They came to Asgard and wrought wonders for our people as we struggled to survive the harsh Realms as they were so long ago. Loka and Loki. Twin Jotunn and the both of them were seithrmasters in their own right. Powerful warriors of magick, despite their height. Aesir height, or like Elves – so they were gifted and blessed. It seemed only natural to Frigga to name you after one of them."
"Do you know how their story ended?" Loki asked finally, bitterly.
"No."
"Ah."
"But your story is not theirs."
"No, it is not," Loki vowed blackly. "So, you knew then. Even before I was adopted... you thought – what – to use me to control Jotunheim?"
"I had initially hoped that you would provide the necessary balance to Thor's excesses. We spoke of that, did we not? You agreed to that arrangement."
Odin blinked hazily at the young man who paced back and forth in front of him, obviously angry and frightened. How long did he carry the burden of the secret that was his heritage? All his life, he must have feared being shown for what he was... What would such fear bring to pass?
"There was also the other idea," Odin then nodded as another memory struck. Frigga and he before their fireplace building dream castles in the air. "That we could unite our kingdoms one day, bring about an alliance, bring about a permanent peace through you... On that day, I would have, in the sight of all Jotunheim, given you the Casket as a sign of our goodwill... but those plans no longer matter."
Now with the war begun. Jotunheim will not survive it – Casket or no.
"So I am no more than another stolen relic, locked up here until you mind have use of me?" Loki swung around, fists clenched, green eyes blazing. "You acquired me for some grand scheme, planned to use me as some witless pawn-"
"Why do you twist my words-"
"Well? Well? Why did you not tell me from the beginning? Did you not trust me? Is that it? Were you wanting to see if I would show my true savage colours?"
"No, no... I thought you were happy with the life you led-"
"Happy? Happy to be ever handling Thor's leash, collared as I was to your demands?" Loki spat out. "Unable to make anyone happy least of all myself?"
"No... no..."
"You know... it all makes sense now why you ignored all of my criticisms over the years because no matter how you claimed to prize my opinion or thoughts on the whole issue, you could not accept that a Frost Giant was more worthy for the throne than your own son!"
"Loki – no-"
Loki's voice was blurring now as the tall young man loomed over him, angry eyes filled with unshed tears. Frigga, Odin thought, it is as you saw. Ever has he been carrying such pain, for he is wounded – beyond measure, carrying a wound within his heart so big a universe could fit inside the vastness of that Void. Fear and insecurity... what can I say in the face of that? Nothing? Perhaps nothing... and... in the end... it seems that I must leave it to you... Frigga... Loki...
All went dark.
The last thing Odin heard was Loki calling for the guards, panic rising in his young voice.
Loki...
-0-0-0-
Laufey, after returning to Utgard, quickly wrote several letters of commission to the cities of Dagaheim, Griotunagardar, Skalldi, Thrymheim, Vatnboer and Snjarhamr and sent them with the swiftest couriers and guards. Knowing that the lords and generals stationed in those outposts of Jotunheim would respond with all haste, Laufey ordered his closest retainers, guards and page boys to repack the king's retinue with the intention of making all haste to Gastropnir. From there, Laufey would begin planning for the last war of Jotunheim.
It will be our last war, Laufey thought grimly as the entire cavalcade rode out on the backs of young jarnkottr, whether we win or lose.
Beside him, Helblindi rode equally silently, his red eyes glancing warily at his now rather grim Fylgja. Laufey was glad. The last thing he wanted was annoying questions from his son.
Helblindi knows how to hold his tongue and his temper after a fashion. Well, at least he is better than that royal Aesir whelp. Prince Thor was to be King Thor? Ha! A glad day for the Nine Realms that that was cancelled. Not that it aids Jotunheim now. Laufey shook his head. Well, Helblindi has his own problems. Byleistr will mature as well in his own good time. As for the other...
At the thought of his third child, the unfortunate product of his womb, Laufey's expression soured even further.
The conniving little snake – he thought I would not guess at the truth of the matter? Did he think his father was an idiot? Laufey glared at the horizon of heavy mountains that loomed bigger and bigger as they drew closer. Well, it would appear to farfetched to any parent – that their child is an adopted royal in another Realm... but this is the Ulfrbarn of which we are speaking... and any child of mine has that kind of cunning to infiltrate a Royal nest like a cuckoo bird from Alfheim. Ha. It is amusing in a way, that Jotunheim's castoff is Asgard's terasure. Ha.
On the other hand, he led four of our kin to their deaths on a whim – or some other dark plan. After all, and here a new thought emerged, Prince Thor was banished. Perhaps the cursed runt is aiming for Asgard's throne? Surely not. But then... who knows the depth of its ambition. It is an abomination for a reason. It brings nothing but death...
Laufey remembered the words of the Dark Elf traders brought to him within a letter from Vatnboer concerning the Royal Family. The suspicions raised by his runtling's suggestion to infiltrate the Vault had led to Laufey's enquiries and the Dark Elves had been more than happy to share their misgivings on the state of Asgard.
Odin was the same as usual – old and powerful and rich and pompous and arrogant. Frigga was her usual nosey self, if charming and beautiful and cunning in her own way. At least Odin had the sense to marry a woman of that calibre, Laufey mused. That was the smartest thing he ever did – and the only thing I ever approved of... Ha. Of course, the largest portion of the letter was dedicated to Thor, the eldest son. Arrogant, foolish, powerful, strong as an jarnkottr and just as slow-witted, Thor's exploits were known far and wide. Laufey had skimmed through it with disinterest – although he found some pride in the fact that his own children were not half the problem which Thor posed. Then, at the end, as if it were a postscript, was a short summary on Odin's adopted second son, a powerful seithrmaster and shapeshifter, who had the ability to mimic many different kinds of magicks including ice. The Dark Elves appeared to respect the young man for his silvertongue and tendency to think before he leaped.
Even then, Laufey was not certain. Not until that day Thor came to Jotunheim and the three guards Laufey had set to watch the younger prince from a distance saw the tell-tale sign of blue.
Loki, Prince of Asgard, is nothing but an illusion. A beautiful illusion that could destroy the very ground upon which Asgard treads.
Laufey hoped.
Yet, he also worried. For instead of dying on the plains of Vollrvatn, the vaetki had survived.
What if it found Meerauk? On its own? What if it met with the Heimsrsal? What if it heard the call of Jotunheim? What if he discovered the secrets of the ancient past? Laufey steered his mind away determinedly from that ancient tale he had heard himself in the dusty caves of Meerauk so long ago. Loki and Loka. Surely it did not discover the truth... and if it did – will its revenge breed true? Will it wait and wait until such a time as it gains power? Will it return?
Surely not, yet... and yet... Perhaps the vaetki would return – to lay another plan, to tease, to taunt, or to wreck its wrath...
The abomination would return in some way or another. It could not help but return for Jotunheim was its future as much as its past.
Laufey smiled.
I will be waiting.
Well, there you go! I hope you enjoyed it!
Let me know what you think! I really appreciate concrit and any other thoughts/shout outs. Of course, if you catch any misspelling or grammar issues, please let me know~!
Thanks so much!
-KI
p.s. Thor's POV is going to be coming in 3-4 chapters or so. We'll see. He'll get a whole chapter for himself LOL. Frigga's POV is coming in the next chapter.
Alien Glossary:
'auzha – fucker
chi'iano – a radioactive piece of rock similar to uranium
cho'ai - lover
Dou'ma – idiot
iz'kyr – a kind of frozen stone powder which is used as a narcotic for some species
kalo – a kind of purple-red fruit, similar to a pomegranate or dragonfruit
kol-sava'atha – a titanium-rich ore
Morning-star - a mace
n'ch'nka – a kind of cow
oma'auzha – mother-effer
oto'oa - big sister
r'senk'ne – a kind of deer/cow hybrid
udji'oo – a drug, like opium
Asgardian Glossary:
bikkja – bitch
Brenna-Fir – the Immolation
Drakka Thyod – Dragon Race
ergi - womanly, weak, "gay"
Fiendfyre – a phoenix-firebird
Flauguna – flying feet/teleportation
fotr'ro - footstool
Ginnung – the Void
harhvila - high bed
Haugbui Bustathr – the Shrine of the Kings
Hiti-mothr – Flame Fury (also known as Lachruth)
Kaesia-Seithr – Spirit-Spear style
Koma a Aldr – Coming of Age
Kveykva-herklaethi – Light Armoured style
Laegja – the Immersion
Ofolr Leith – Dark Paths, Other Ways (crossing the Void)
Ominni-tith - the Forgotten Times
Rikr-Hringraevi – Grand Cycles of Time
Runa a Fyrsta – Rites of Initiation
Runa a Kelda – Rites of Spring
Runa'a'vetr – Winter Solstice
Saga-Vefr – Story-weavers
seithr - magic
seithrmaster - mage, sorceror
Skjald-borhyrr – Wall of Flame
Skipa – the Infusion
Skokkr-a-Mir – concealment skills, Box of Mirrors (also known as Col'ca-cenedril)
stormerki – mysteria
Tveir-Andlit – illusionary skills, Double Face
Velspara-Speki – the Well (of Wisdom)
Elvish Glossary:
skreyppa – slippery one
gargani – snake
fintalenir – trickster
vanwa – defeated one, impolite term for "loser"
caitahto – liar
curunar – fiery one
Lachruth – Flame Fury
Col'ca-cenedril – Box of Mirrors
Cebir-Gondlug – Spike-Stone Dragon
Am'loce Norie – Dragon Race
raudhaust – high bed
Jotunheim Glossary:
Aldinn Stathr – Ancient Place
Almror'ganga - Long Range Weapon Contest
Arlang'leith – the Annual Caravan
Atfirth – energies
ausa'songr fugl - flow-songbirds
blakkrbjorr – black beer
Blakkrbjorn – black bear
blakkrgras – black grass
blargras – blue grass
blar'iss hros - black ice horse
Blaufe'irsteinn - blue fire stone
Brandr'ganga - Unarmed Combat
Dagaheim
Dauthr'ganga - Death Duel
dvegr – dwarf
dyrspeki – zoologist
Eybjarg (Chasms of Forever)
Faetha'snaer - "Mother", "who births the snow"
Farbjothr – the Destroyer
fauld – a part of armour around the lower midsection
Fjor'fylgja – Life Mate
Flara River – Treacherous River
fleygja-skip – flying/shooting ship
For-Eldra – Ancestors
Forn Vegr – Old Ways
Frothleikr'ganga - Battle of Magick
Fylgja'snaer - "Father", "who aids the snow"
Gastropnir
Glima'ganga - Battle of Swords
Gnaefki-Seggr – High Guard
Gnottvatn (Lake of Abundance)
Gothahus – temple
Grarfjall – Grey Mountains
grarulfr – grey wolves
Griotunagardar
hafnathr – sea serpents
heillgrjot – healing stones
Heimsrsal – Soul of the Realm
heithrsker – crystal flowers
hjarr'veithr - rabbit chaser (a kind of eagle)
Holdra River – Hero's River
holkimurtr – small flat fish
Holkn Vollr – Flat Plains
holmganga – a method of ending feuds/disagreements
hota-eik – white oak
hvaeta – wheat
hvitr'steinn - white fire stone
Innaheim – Inner Realm
iss'hona'by - ice honey bee
jarnkottr – iron cat (beast which Laufey released in Thor)
jarnvithr – iron wood
Kaldrfjall (Cold Mountains)
Kero Fornvetr – Casket of Ancient Winters
kostrboth – a method of proving virility for the purpose of marriage
lagreinn – small one (epithet)
lagr'hyggr – fool
Lengi Ofrithr – Long War
luthrblom – trumpet flower
manisilfr – moonsilver
Meir'brothir – Older Brother
melrakki – white fox
Myrkr Skogr – shadow forest
Nattura – spirits
Northri Stjarna – North Star
rjothr'auga haukr - red-eyed hawk
silvralmr – silver elm
silvrfiskr – silver fish
Sithr Efingi – True Heir
Skalldi
skordyr – Jotunheim goat
Smar'brothir – Younger Brother
snaerharra – snow rabbit
snjarlang'hvartha - snow camel
Storrholl – Great Hall
thurblakulfr – giant black wolves
tunglbom (moonflower)
Utanheim – Outer Realm
Utgard
vaetki – nothing
ventrmellin – winter melon
villrkyr – wild ox
Virtha Aevi – Coming of Age
Vit'ganga - Battle of Wits